Flooded roads reopen in Coromandel

Coromandel roads closed by flooding reopened this afternoon as heavy rain eased in the region.

The downpours combined with high tides this morning forced authorities to close State Highway 25 at Whitianga and Manaia, in the western Coromandel.

Six people had to be rescued after two cars became stranded in the rising water on Kauaeranga Valley Road on the Coromandel Ranges.

No one was hurt, but Thames police Sergeant Jim Corbett said it was a timely reminder for people not to drive on flooded roads.

"If there's a big puddle ahead of you don't drive through it or someone is going to get swept away and drowned."

The bad weather was expected to continue for the first few days of the school holidays.

MetService said a front caused by a deep low over the north Tasman Sea was expected to move slowly south from today through to Wednesday, with Gisborne and Hawke's Bay bearing the brunt of the heavy rain.

It warned that severe gales were expected in the Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Taihape, while strong winds were also possible in Taranaki, Wanganui, the Manawatu and the Kapiti Coast.

- NZPA